Data Protection Policy

Our data protection policy sets out our commitment to protecting personal data and how we implement that commitment (processing) with regards to the collection and use of personal data. We have consulted with and agreed with the I.C.O. upon this policy which we believe is fair, reasonable and proportionate.

We are Committed to:

Ensuring that we comply with the eight data protection principles, as listed below.

• Meeting our legal obligations as laid down by the data protection act.
• Ensuring that data is collected and used fairly, proportionately and lawfully.
• Processing personal data only in order to meet our contractual/operational needs or fulfil legal requirements.
• Taking steps to ensure that personal data is up to date and accurate.
• Establishing appropriate retention periods for personal data do not exceed “need” and we have determined need to be 30 days from when processing ceases. In other words when a case (investigation) is closed/completed.
  Ensuring that data subjects’ rights can be appropriately exercised by processing an accepted subject access request within 14 working days and an accepted record removal request within 7 working days.
• Providing adequate security measures to protect personal data.
• Ensuring that a nominated officer is responsible for data protection compliance and provides a point of contact for all data protection issues.
• Ensuring that all staff are made aware of good practice in data protection.
• Providing adequate training for all staff responsible for personal data.
• Ensuring that everyone handling personal data knows where to find further guidance.Ensuring that queries about data protection, internal and external to the organisation, is dealt with effectively and promptly.
• Ensuring that queries about data protection, internal and external to the organisation, is dealt with effectively and promptly.
• Regularly reviewing data protection procedures and guidelines within the organisation.

Data Protection Principles

1. Personal data will be processed fairly and lawfully.
2. Personal data will be obtained for one or more specified and lawful purpose, and will not be further processed in any manner incompatible with that purpose or those purposes.
3. Personal data will be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purpose or purposes for which they are processed.
4. Personal data will be accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date with regular reviews.
5. Personal data processed for any purpose or purposes will not be kept for longer than is necessary (we describe necessary as “need”) for that purpose or those purposes.
6. Personal data will be processed in accordance with the rights of data subjects under the Data Protection Act at all times.
7. Appropriate technical and organisational measures will be taken against unauthorised and unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
8. Personal data will not be transfered to a country or territory outside the European Economic Area unless that country or territory ensures an adequate level of protection for the rights and freedoms of data subjects in relation to the processing of personal data.